Building-block.



No. 776,409. PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904. A. O. MATHER & M. F. BOWEN.

- BUILDING BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED mm 2a, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

ime TATES Patented November 29, 1904.

arnnr niacin.

ALONZO (J. MATHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND MILLARD F. BOWEN, OFBUFFALO, NEW YORK.

BUILDING-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,409, dated November29, 1904.

Application filed June 23, 1903.

.To 0Z7, whom, it flea/y concern:

Be it known that we, ALoNZo C. MATHER, residing at Chicagoyin the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, and MILLARD F. BOWEN, residing atBuffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, citizens of theUnited States, have invented new and useful Improvements inBuilding-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to building-blocks.

The object of the invention is in a ready, simple, thoroughly-efficient,and practical manner to effect ventilation of the walls of a buildingand to dispense with the employment of ordinary laths, to which theplaster or facing of the Walls is secured.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature ofthe invention is better understood, the same consists, generally stated,in a building-block provided on one side with channels or ducts and abacking secured over the channels and constituting a plaster-attachingmeans.

The invention consists, further, in the novel form of building-block andmethod ofmaking the same, as will be hereinafter fully described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts,there are illustrated two forms of the embodimentof the invention, eachcapable of carrying the same into practical operation, it beingunderstood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changedas to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective exhibiting a finishedbuilding-block embodying the features of the present in vention, theview being taken from the front thereof. Fig. 2 is a similar view takenfrom the rear side of the block. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modifiedform of block.

The block is to be made of any suitable material, such as Portlandcement or other substances adapted mechanically to be Worked to thedesired shape and to be formed in any Serial No. 162,791. (No model.)

kind of mold, machine, or press adapted for the purpose. Variouscontours may be imparted to the blocks other than those herein shown,and as this will be well understood. further illustration is deemedunnecessary.

The block 1, which is exhibited as being ap proximately rectangular inshape, is provided in this instance with two channels 2 on its innerside, which when the block is in position will be vertically disposedand will constitute air-ducts to effect proper ventilation and will alsooperate to preclude heat, cold, and dampness. It will be understood thatwith a wall constructed with the blocks of this invention they will beso disposed as that when the blocks are superposed there will becontinuous channels throughout the entire height of the Wall. As shownin Fig. 1, the outer face ofthe block is ornamented, (the terms outerand inner being employed to indicate the front or finished face of theblock and the rear or plaster-receiving portion of the block,respectively,) such ornamentation being produced while the block is inthe mold, press, or machine; but it will be obvious that this featuremay be omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. Whilethe block is still in semiplastic condition, and thus capable ofreceiving impressions or indentations, it is removed from the machineand a suitable backing 3 is applied, which may be ordinary metallic lathor reticulated or foraminous material, as may be preferred. This backingmay a be assembled with the block, either by being sunk thereinto bysuitable machinery, so that the meshes or walls of the openings thereinwill be included within the body of the block, or, if preferred, it maybe secured in position by the employment either of staples 4 or nails 5driven into the block. In either eventwhen the block is set the backingwill be a part thereof and will serve as a positive means of holding theplaster of the room-walls in position.

Instead of attaching the backing to the block in the manner describedthe partitions or flanges 6 of the block may be provided with openings7, formed in the block while still plastie, and after the block is setthe backing may be attached thereto by driving nails or staples into theopenings thus formed.

Vhile but two channels have been shown in the embodiment of theinvention illustrated and these disposed in parallelism, it is to beunderstood that other channels extending at right angles to thefirst-named channels may be employed Without departing from the spiritof the invention.

By the employment of the backing or lath to the block the use ofordinary wooden lath or metallic lathing, such as is commonly employed,is dispensed with, thereby materially reducing the cost of building awall by this form of block.

While described as particularly adapted for constructing the walls of abuilding, it will be obvious that blocks constructed in this manner maybe used for laying flooring without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is 1. Abuilding-block provided on'one face with channels, a flat open-workbacking therefor extending entirely over said face and over the mouthsof the channels, and fastening means for securing the backing to theblock.

2. A building-block provided with channels on its inner face, and anopen-work backing therefor secured thereto, said backing arrangedexteriorly of the block and extending over said face in a single planeand over the mouths of the channels.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a building-block provided withchannels and a backing for the block, arranged exteriorly thereof in asingle plane and extending entirely over the mouths of the channels.

4. A building-block provided on one'side with channels or ducts, and abacking for the block arranged exteriorly thereof in a single plane andsecured thereto and extending over the channels constituting aplaster-attaching means.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of thesubscribing witnesses.

ALONZO G. MATHER. MILLARD F. BOWEN. Witnesses to signature of Alonzo C.Mather:

JOHN A. CLARK, DANIEL OKEEEE. WVitnesses to signature of Millard F.Bowen;

DANIEL W. ALLEN, J Ess'IE EMERY VooRHIs.

